Flatiron



- sept. 1; 1942.

B.' w. TULLls FLATIRON Filed Apri-1 3, 1940 2 Sheets-Shea?I 2 v ATTORNEYPatented Sept. 1, 1942 FLATIRON Boyd W. Tullis, Wichita, Kans., assgnorto The Coleman Lamp and Stove Company,

Wichita,

Kans., a corporation of Kansas Application April 3, 1940, Serial No.327,643

(Cl. 15S-23.2)

12 Claims.

This invention relates to fiatirons, and particularly to those equippedwith a burner for liquid fuels, and has for its principal object toprovide an iron of this character having a secure and rigid handlemounting designed to provide a smooth, streamlined exterior and whichavoids heating of the handle and serves as a shield to protect the handof the operator from the heat of the iron.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an iron with a shell-liketop plate which cooper- Iates with a xture plate in forming an airchamber and passageway for directing air to the burner; to provideconcealed attachment for the handle; to provide for support of the fueltank and generator assembly by the shell and fixture plates; and toprovide for positive air circulation around the attachment points of thehandle.

It is also an object of the invention to provide an iron of attractiveappearance and free of external parts that ordinarily make di'icultcleaning and polishing of an iron.

In accomplishing these 'and other objects of the invention, ashereinafter pointed out, I have provided improved details of structure,the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings,wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a fiatiron embodying the features of thepresent invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the iron, the fuel tank,control valve, and generator being shown in elevation.

Fig. 3 is a cross-section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail section particularly illustrating mountingof the fuel tank, control valve, and generator assembly.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the parts of the iron shown indisassembled spaced relation.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

The iron includes a base I having an ironing face 2 and a recessed upperface 3 cooperating with a wall member 4 in forming an open top bodyhaving a burner chamber 5. The wall member preferably includes 'aunitary part having side walls 6 and 'I conforming to the contour of thebase I, the lower edges of the side walls being provided with notches 8forming air inlet openings 9 while the upper edges I0 are similarlynotched to provide outlet openings II for circulation of air through theburner chamber.

Seated on the edges II) of the Walls 6 and 'l is a fixture plate I2having a raised central portion I3 to enhance the rigidity thereof andincrease the capacity of the burner chamber. The rear 55 of the plateterminates in an upwardly offset extension I4 having a slot I 5 in theterminal edge thereof, the offset I6 being provided with la suitable ribIl to enhance the rigidity thereof. Formed in the raised central portionI3 of the xture plate is an upwardly struck boss I8 for containing a nutI9 suitably supported in registering relation With an opening 20 in theplate for a purpose later described. Suspended from the plate is aburner 2| having a plurality of downwardly facing jet openings 22 fromwhich names are directed against the base of the iron and a similararrangement of upwardly directed jet openings 23 for directing flamesonto the fuel generator, later described.

The burner 2| includes a bunsen 24 having an air inlet 25 in the topthereof registering with an opening 2B in the fixture plate throughwhich primary combustion supporting air is supplied to the burner.Extending laterally from the sides of the bunsen are ears 2l and 28secured to the fixture plate by fastening devices 29 extending throughsuitable openings 30 in the fixture plate -and into threaded openings 3lin the ears. The fixture plate carrying the burner is secured on thebody member and the body member is clamped to the base I by fasteningdevices such as screws 32 and 33 having their Shanks extending throughopenings 34 and 35 in the fixture plate and into threaded bosses 36 and3l formed on the upper side of the Figs. 3 .and 5. The body member iscentered on the base by lugs 38 and 39 located at respective endsthereof which engage in recesses 40 and 4I respectively at thecorresponding ends of the body member. The fixture plate is alsoadditionally stabilized on the wall member by a dowel 42 engaged in anopening 43 on the wall member and extending through an opening 44 in theforward end of the fixture plate. The side edges of the fixture platepreferably extend over and beyond the openings II to deflect the hot airwhich passes through the openings outwardly and away from the top of theiron. Inserted between the bunsen of the burner and fixture plate is ashield 45 which has a canopy-like portion 46 projecting over the upperjets 23 to prevent direct contact of the fiames with the fixture plate.

Supported on top of the fixture plate is a shell-like plate 41 having astreamline exterior surface and depending side fianges 48 and 49, theflanges overlapping the side edges of the fixture plate to form an airchamber 50 extending over the entire top area of the iron to insubase asclearly shown in` 2 late and retard radiation of heat from the fixtureplate and provide a fiow passage wherethrough air is supplied to thebunsen through the openings land 26. Struck from the top of the shellplate, at a point substantially midway between the terminal on theraised portion of the fixture plate and the offset l5 thereof is a boss5l having an annular shoulder 52 seating a caplike spacer 53, thespacers 53 having a flat top 54 provided with a depending flange 55seated on the shoulder 52 and provided with a plurality of notchesthrough which air is admitted for passage into the air chamber 50through openings 51 that are formed in the boss, as shown in Fig. 5.

Formed in the forward end of the shell plate is a transverse slot 58through which a laterally extending foot 59 on the handle Strap 6i) isextended. The foot of derlies the shell and is secured thereto by atubular rivet 5i, the opening 52 in which registers with the threadedopening in the nut |9- so that a screw 63 `may Vbe turned therethroughinto theY nut to secure the forward end of the shell plate on thefixture plate as shown in Fig. 2. The handle also includes a gripportion Sithat is fixed to a laterally extending arm on the strap 60 bya screw 65. The grip portion of the handle is preferably integral with apost 51 that seats on the top of the is secured by a screw 53 extendingupwardly through an opening 69 in the bossV 5l through an opening 1i] inthe cap 53', and into a threaded opening 'H in the post` as shown inFig. 2. The

slot 58 is preferably of larger dimensions than the cross-sectional areaofthe strap so as to provide for inlet of air around the strap asindicated at 12, Fig. l. Thus air fiows around both of the attachingpoints of the handle to keep the handle in a cool accumulation ofheat'from the iron.

Cooperating with the openingsadjacent the handle connections areaplurality of apertures 13` located substantially over the air inletopening to the'bunsen so that a portion of the air is' supplied'directlyto the bunsen. The apertures 13` are relatively 'small in size andspread over a substantial portion of the top Vof the shell so that theair passing therethrough gives a greater cooling effect to the shell.the shell plate has a flattened extension 14' resting on theextensionihl ofthe fixture plate and providedV with a notch 15registering with the slot or notch'i5 to mount the fuel tank controlvalve and generator assembly, as now to be described.

This assembly includes a valve body 15 having a substantiallyrectangular shaped portion 11 fitting within the side flanges of theshell and having a shouldered upper face 18 seating squarely against theunder face of the extension I4. Projecting above the face 18 is a flatsided tubular neck 19 to engage the sides of the registering notches |5and 15. Carried on the neck is a threaded head B) mounting a jam-nut 8lthat is adapted to cooperate with the shouldered face 18 to clamp thefixture plate and shell extensions therebetween as shown in Fig. 2.Carried on the head 85 is a fuel supply tank 82 located in closerelation with the post portion 61 of the handle, the post of the handlepreferably being concave to accommodate the side of the tank whereby thetank may be positioned close to the handle.

Carried bythe horizontal branch 83 of the the handle strap thusuncap-like spacer 53 and" condition to prevent the The rear of valve isa generator tube 84 extending over the jet openings 23 of the burner andinto an opening 85 in the rear side of the bunsen chamber. The generatortube has an orifice tip 86 extending into the bunsen chamber. The valvealso includes an actuating stem 81 extending rearwardly through apacking nut 88 threaded on the valve body, the stern being manipulatedby a suitable handwheel 89 to control flow of fuel from the tank 82 tothe orifice tip 85 of the generator tube. Also carried by the generatortube is a tip cleaning and fuel regulating device 90 having an operatinglever 9|.

In assembling the iron, the body member 4 is placed on the base l withthe recesses 4D and il receiving the lugs 38 and 39. The burner is thenattached to the under side of the fixture plate by the fastening devices29. The fixture plate is secured by the fastening devices 32 and 33. Theshell plate carrying the handle is then applied over the xture plate andsecured thereto by insertion of the screw 53. The tank, control valve,andgenerator assembly is then moved into position with the generator'tube 84 passing over the jet'openings 23 and into thev bunsen chamberand with the flattened neck of the valve passing into the notches l5and15. The jamnut` 84 is then tightened to draw the extension portionsof the shell and fixture plate into clamping contact with each other tosecure the rear end of the shell plate to the rear extension of thefixture plate and the generator and tank assembly thereon.

When the iron is in operation, air is drawn through the notches 56 andopenings 51 at the rear portion of Vthe Vshell to cool the connectingpointA of the handle and to supply air for` fiow through the passage50^in keeping the shell plate in cool condition. Simultaneously air isdrawn through4 the slot 58`and apertures 13 into the openings 25 and25to'the bunsen for supplementing the combustion supporting air supplyto thev burner. This movement of airin and around theY connections ofthe handleskeepthe handle comfortably cool so that the temperatureis notdisagreeable to the operator. The combination shell and fixture platealso forms a rigid'structure for attachment of the handle and support ofthe generator assembly so that the generator will not get out ofalignment with its bunsen. It is also obvious that the concealed handleconnections provide a smooth shell exterior so' that the iron may bereadily cleaned and. kept in polished condition.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An iron of the character described, including a body having a burnerchamber, a fixture plate covering the burner chamber, a shell platecovering the fixture plate, means securing the fixture plate to saidbody, said shell plate having a slot and a shouldered boss spacedtherefrom provided with an air inlet opening, a cap having a flangeseated on the shouldered boss andv provided with an air inlet opening,'a handlersupporting member extended through said slot in the shellplate and having a foot portion attached to the shell plate on the underside thereof, a handle member having a post portion seated on said cap,means extending through the shell plate and cap to secure the postportion of the handle member, and means connecting said handle member toits supporting member.

2. Au iron of the characterfto be described, including a body having aburner chamber, a fixture plate covering the burner chamber, a burnersupported in the burner chamber and having a bunsen provided with an airinlet opening connected with an air inlet opening in the fixture plate,a shell plate mounted on the xture plate and cooperating therewith toform an air passage, and means on the shell plate for attaching ahandle, said shell plate having a plurality of air inlet openingsladjacent said attaching points for the handle.

3. An iron of the character described, including a body having a burnerchamber, la burner supported within the burner chamber and having abunsen provided with 4an air inlet opening, a shell plate mounted onsaid body to form an air passage to said air inlet of the bunsen, andmeans on the shell plate for attaching a handle, said shell plate havinga plurality of air inlet openings adjacent said attaching points for thehandle to admit air to said passage.

4. An iron of the character described, including a ixture plate coveringa burner chamber in said iron and having an upwardly oiTset extension, ashell plate covering the xture plate and having Ia slot and a shoulderedboss spaced therefrom provided with an air inlet opening, a cap having aiiange seated on the shouldered boss and provided with an air inletopening, a handle member extended through said slot and having a footportion attached to the sh'ell plate on the under side thereof, a,handle member having a post portion seated on said cap, means extendingthrough the shell plate and cap to secure the post portion of the handlemember, and means connecting said handle to its supporting member.

5. An iron of the character described including, an open top bodyforming a burner chamber, a burner in the burner chamber, a fixtureplate covering the open top of the body, a streamlined shell platemounted on the fixture plate, one of said plates having side flangescooperating with the other plate to form an air passageway therebetweenand which is separated from the burner chamber by said fixture plate,means securing said plates in assembly on said body, one of said plateshaving an opening to admit air into the passageway, and an air inletconnection for the burner having connection with the passageway at apoint in spaced relation with said opening whereby operation of theburner induces ow of air through said passageway,

6. An iron of the character described including, an open top bodyforming a burner chamber, a burner in the chamber having a bunsen, axture plate covering the open top of the body, a shell plate mounted onthe iixture plate and cooperating therewith to form an air passagewayseparated from th'e burner chamber by said iixtui'e plate, meanssecuring said plates in assembly on said body of the iron, said shellplate having an air inlet opening, and a fixture plate having an outletopening to the bunsen of the burner, said outlet opening being spacedfrom the air inlet opening of the shell to effect movement of airthrough said passageway incidental to operation of the burner. i y

7. An iron of the character described including, an open top bodyforming a burner chamber, a burner in saidr chamber, a fixture platecovering the open top of the body, a shell plate mounted on the xtureplate and cooperating therewith to 'form van air passageway extendingover the burner chamber and sepaarted therefrom by said xture plate,means securing said plates in assembly on said body, and means on theshell plate for securing a handle, said shell plate having air inletopenings adjacent said handle attaching means and said iixture platehaving an outlet opening spaced from the air inlet openings wherebyoperation of th'e burner induces air iiow through said air passageway tothe burner.

8. An iron of the character described including, an open top bodyforming a burner chamber, a fixture plate covering the burner chamberand closing the open top of said body, a burner suspended within theburner chamber from the iixture plate and having a bunsen provided withan air inlet opening directly connected with an air inlet opening in thefixture plate, and a shell plate mounted on the iixture plate andcooperating therewith to form an air passageway between said Iplatesseparate from the burner chamber, said shell plate having an air inletopening spaced from the air inlet of the bunsen for admission of air tothe air passageway for supplying the bunsen of the burner, wherebyoperation of the burner effects positive movement of air through saidpassageway to cool the shell plate.

9. An iron of the character described including, an open top bodyforming a burner chamber, a burner supported in the burner chamber andhaving a bunsen provided with an air inlet opening and spacedsuperimposed plates closing the open top of the body, the space betweensaid plates forming an air passageway over the burner separate from saidburner chamber and having connection with the air inlet to the bunsen,said upper plate having an air inlet opening spaced from the air inletto the bunsen to supply air to the bunsen from said passageway, wherebyoperation of the burner effects positive movement of air through saidpassageway to cool the upper plate.

10. An iron of the character described including an open top bodyforming a burner chamber, a burner in the chamber, a xture plate closingthe open top of said body and covering the burner chamber, a shell plateand cooperating therewith to form an air passageway over the burnerchamber, means securing said plates in assembly on said body, and meanson the shell plate for securing a handle, said shell plate having airinlet openings adjacent said handle attaching means and said xture platehaving an outlet opening to the burner in the burner chamber.

1l. An iron of the character described-including a sole member, a wallmember on the sole member and cooperating therewith to form an open topburner chamber having air inlets and air outlets adjacent the lower andupper edges of the wall member for circulation of air through the burnerchamber, a iixture plate having support on the upper edge of the wallmember, fastening devices extending through the fixture plate andengaging the sole member to retain the wall member therebetween, aburner suspended within the burner chamber trom said fixture plate andhaving a bunsen provided with an air inlet registering with an openingin the fixture plate, a shell plate superimposed over the xture plateand cooperating therewith to form an air passageway over the burnerchamber for admitting air to the bunsen through the opening in theiixture plate, said shell plate having openings spaced from the airinlet of the bunsen for admitting saidair for travel through the airpassageway to said opening in the fixture plate, and meansinterconnecting said plates.

plate mounted on the iixture 12. An iron of the character describedinclud-l ing a sole member, a Wallmernber onthe sole member andcooperating therewith to form an open top burner chamberl having ai;`inlets and air outlets adjacent the lower and upper edges of the wallmember for circulation of air through the burner chamber,y a nxt-ureplate having support on the upper edge of the Wall member, fasteningdevices extending throughl the fixture plate and engaging the solemember to retain the Wall member therebetween,v a burner suspendedwithin uneVV burner chamber fromA saidy xture plate and having a bunsenprovided withk an air inlet registering With-an opening in the xtureplate, a shell plate cooperating with the xture plate toforin anair'passageway therebet'Wee'nand extending over the burner chamber foradmitting air to the bunsen through the opening in the xture plate,saidshell plate having openings spaced from the air inlet of the bunsen ,foradmitting saidair for flow through the passageway to vthe opening in theiixture plate so that operation of the burner induces air flow throughthe Vpassageway to cool the shell plate, means interconnecting saidplates, said plates having extensions on the rear ends thereoL-andjagenerator and tank assembly supported by said'extensions, said generatorextending into thel burner Vchamber'and having a nozzle discharging intothe bunsen. Y

` BOYD W. TULLIS.

